Computational approaches for deciphering the transcriptional regulatory network by promoter analysis

The rapid accumulation of complete genome sequences and the advance of high-throughput expression profiling technology have made a computational approach to the study of transcription regulation networks attractive and feasible. In this review, computational approaches to deciphering the transcriptional regulatory network, including promoter prediction, transcription factor binding site identification, combinatorial regulatory element predictions and transcription factor target gene identification are discussed. The role of comparative genomics in transcription regulatory region analysis is also reviewed.